Two suspects and exhibits seized in a drug ring that allegedly supplied various types of drugs to foreigners, mainly tourists, in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: H.B.
According to investigators, the operation was led by La Thi Ngoc Anh, 24, a native of Dak Lak Province and a temporary resident in Da Nang, who was accused of distributing drugs to foreigners through encrypted transactions conducted on social media to conceal the illegal activity.
City police have arrested five suspects so far, including two Vietnamese and three foreigners.
Accordingly, Anh has been arrested for allegedly organizing illegal drug use and illegal drug trading, while her accomplice, Pham Thi Xuan Nho, a 39-year-old woman from Gia Lai Province, has been detained for alleged illegal drug trading.
Police officers also arrested three Chinese suspects, Man Jian Xiang, 36, Xu Ming Chen, 23, and Yu Xun, 32, according to VTC News.
Man is accused of organizing illegal drug use, while Xu and Yu are alleged to have illegally possessed drugs.
Earlier on Monday, a joint police team raided a hotel on Tran Hung Dao Street in An Hai Ward, where Anh was caught red-handed preparing to deliver drugs to a customer.
Officers seized one package of ‘happy water’ and another of ketamine from her.
At the same time, police detained Man on suspicion of organizing illegal drug use at the hotel.
Authorities also confiscated three packages of ‘happy water,’ three packages of ketamine, two packages of methamphetamine, 20 ecstasy pills, a small electronic scale, and other related evidence at the scene.
Expanding the investigation, authorities issued emergency detention orders for Xu and Yu over their alleged involvement in the illegal drug possession.
A subsequent search of an apartment rented by Anh in Ngu Hanh Son Ward led to the arrest of Nho, who was caught selling drugs.
Police confiscated 12 packages of ‘happy water,’ 29 ecstasy pills, 97 methamphetamine pills, three packages of suspected ketamine powder, and several bags containing crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine.
During questioning, Nho admitted she had been living with Anh for around one month and had been hired to deliver drugs to customers for a fee of VND500,000 (US$19) per delivery.
Drug tests later confirmed that Anh and the three Chinese suspects were all positive for narcotics use.
Police are expanding their investigation to identify and apprehend others involved in the case.
